Beretta PX4 Frame Strength

[Beretta11]

I noticed when looking at the PX4's frame that the slide rests on two 1/2" wide tabs made of plastic with small steel tab inserts. It seems hard to believe that a NATO tested PX4 withstood 150,000 shots with these little tabs.

1. Is there metal throughout all of the plastic frame or just on the tabs where the slide comes into contact?

2. Will the plastic on the tabs get whittled away?

3. Is this strong enough to reliably withstand wear over the course of tens of thousands of shots?

[Newport]

Check the plastic frame with a magnet to determine the extent/location of the metal inserts. I can tell on plastic body Kahr pistols the metal inserts are one piece and the plastic body is injection molded around them. Kahr did have tolerance issues in terms of locating the inserts prior to molding, but that has been resolved.

Metal inserts in a plastic body body saves weight and reduces machining costs, but it is a careful balance between materials science, stress analysis, tolerance, and weight. Did did Beretta strike the right balance? You can do CAD modelling and every other type of analysis known to man, but in the end it always comes down the track record of the device in the field. Trust this helps.

[semilin]

The force is forth and back, only a little fraction, can be easily lubricated.

[BrassCase]

I'm a PX4 owner in 40 SW. I don't have any issues with mine and I see a fair amount at the range without ever hearing a bad comment let alone complaints about the frame structure.

[hermosabeach]

Bump

[The Shootist]

Bump

Lol I think

[SonOfaDI]

I bet my life on mine daily. No issues.
Check out Ernest Langdon. Hss 50k rounds through his.

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?16519-The-PX4-Compact-might-be-my-DA-SA-Glock-19/page220

[Beretta11]

FYI, I asked this cause the frame did look a little chintsy (just like the USP's) because they use plastic with metal inserts whereas the Glocks and M&Ps use all steel tabs

...50,000 OK, I have read USPs and like you said a Storm made it there, but I wonder if this will last to the same level of mileage that the Glocks get which can be 250,000 or more?

[buffybuster]

FYI, I asked this cause the frame did look a little chintsy (just like the USP's) because they use plastic with metal inserts whereas the Glocks and M&Ps use all steel tabs

...50,000 OK, I have read USPs and like you said a Storm made it there, but I wonder if this will last to the same level of mileage that the Glocks get which can be 250,000 or more?

If you can shoot 250,000 rounds, the last thing you need to concern yourself with is the frame.

[Beretta11]

If you can shoot 250,000 rounds, the last thing you need to concern yourself with is the frame.

I've heard of it on multiple Glocks and one 9mm 1911 both of which have all steel contact points. I think that's more than a coincidence.

[The Shootist]

Awesome! I'd suggest stop worrying about the small things....Most people on the planet will never shoot 250,000 rounds through multiple pistols let alone one. Don't sweat it these polymer guns will last your lifetime + if you take care of them. Get out there and start putting some rounds on target and don't worry about guns that are ultra reliable. Like Glock, HK, and beretta...